A special cake made for a birthday. It may be shaped to represent something of special interest to the recipient, and is almost invariably iced and decorated. Traditionally it is topped with small candles, one for each year of the celebrant's life. This becomes less popular as one grows older. The candles are blown out (preferably with one breath) while a wish is made. The wish must never be told.
"Twice cooked." A biscuit (US: cookie) is a crisp, dry sweet or savoury cake. "Twice cooked" refers to the fact that it is first baked in a loaf form which is then sliced and recooked, resulting in a hard, crisp biscuit.
"Twice cooked." In the United States biscuit describes a soft, scone-like, floury bun, served hot with lots of butter.
Pastry made using egg yolks instead of water, resulting in a very 'short' brittle pastry. It is often made with sugar to provide a sweet pastry.
A mediaeval drink of wine, citrus fruits and spices such as cloves, either hot or iced. It originated in the Rhineland and moved to France through Alsace. The classic English recipe uses claret with orange and lemon peel, cinnamon and cloves. Some versions are made with Champagne. There is also a cocktail of this name made with red wine, lemon and orange juice, icing sugar and cloves.
